B.C.V.I./Lions Expands Services through Rehabilitation 

The Belize Council for the Visually Impaired and the Lions Club of Belize have been around for decades, assisting individuals with visual challenges. Today the two entities joined hands to open a new rehabilitation center. The expansion is located at the B.C.V.I. building on Princess Margaret Drive in Belize City. News Five’s Marion Ali was there and filed this report.

 

Marion Ali, Reporting

Today’s unveiling of the Lions BCVI National Eye Clinic and Rehabilitation Project by Minister of Education, Francis Fonseca and Lions President, Adelaida Guerra formalizes the expanded services that the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired offers the public to improve the quality of their lives.

 

Adelaida Guerra, President, Belize City Lions Club

“This building is where they will do the tertiary care of eye care, where they do the rehabilitation of those people who have been considered blind. Now you have those people affected by diabetes and so they’re also getting additional surgeries that they could deal with that cause.”

 

 

 

 

 

Gilberto Alcoser, regional coordinator for Lions in Central America, explained through translator assistance, how countries receive the monies for these types of projects.

 

 

 

 

 

Gilberto Alcoser, Regional Coordinator, Lions Club, Central America

“What we have is the Lions Club International Foundation that has money to provide these types of services that we are doing here in Belize. As a matter of fact, one of the Belize’s is the only country that has this special unit that we’re opening today.”

 

 

 

 

 

Minister of Education, Francis Fonseca said that what the B.C.V.I and the Lions Club are doing aligns with what the Ministry of Education is doing in terms of special education and inclusion for students. 

 

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education

“What they’re doing here aligns fully with the work that we’re doing at the Ministry of Education in terms of special education, inclusion, making sure that there are opportunities for people with visual impairment. It’s in line with the Disabilities Bill that we passed very recently in the National Assembly. It’s an exciting project. I want to tribute to both organizations.”

 

 

Fonseca said that the government, through the Ministry of Health, also contributed to the project. Marion Ali for News Five.